Red Seaweed (Rhodophyta) Phycocolloids: A Road from the Species to the Industry Application
Madalena Mendes,
João Cotas,
Diana Pacheco,
Kay Ihle,
Alina Hillinger,
Miguel Cascais,
João Carlos Marques,
Leonel Pereira,
Ana M. M. Gonçalves
Affiliations
Madalena Mendes
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
João Cotas
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Diana Pacheco
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Kay Ihle
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Alina Hillinger
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Miguel Cascais
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
João Carlos Marques
MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Leonel Pereira
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Ana M. M. Gonçalves
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Seaweed polysaccharides are versatile both in their functions in seaweed physiology and in their practical applications in society. However, their content and quality vary greatly. This review discusses the main factors that influence the yield and quality of polysaccharides, specifically carrageenans and agars (sulfated galactans) found in red algae species (Rhodophyta). In addition, its historical, current, and emerging applications are also discussed. Carrageenan has been influenced mainly by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and nitrogen, while its relationship with temperature has not yet been replicated by recent studies. Agar’s seasonal trend has also been found to be more ambiguous than stated before, with light, temperature, nutrients, and pH being influencing factors. In this review, it is also shown that, depending on the compound type, seaweed polysaccharides are influenced by very different key factors, which can be crucial in seaweed aquaculture to promote a high yield and quality of polysaccharides. Additionally, factors like the extraction method and storage of polysaccharides also influence the yield and quality of these compounds. This review also highlights the drawbacks and inadequacy inherent from the conventional (or current) extraction technology approaches.
